Ross starred in the PBS show The Joy of Painting for more than a decade, and is known to millions as the soft spoken, always upbeat artist who encouraged us all to create "happy little trees."

Today's doodle features Ross in front of his easel, painting the second "G" in the Google logo atop a familiar nature landscape. A squirrel - a frequent guest on Ross' show (see video below) - sits on his shoulder.

As his official Facebook page notes, "millions of viewers agree that his quiet, nurturing disposition is a form of therapy for the weary, and his respect for nature and wildlife (popular guests include lovable baby squirrels and birds) has helped environmental awareness."

Ross grew up in Florida and started painting at age 18 after joining the Air Force and winding up in Alaska. He used the wet-on-wet technique, which layers wet paint atop previous layers of wet paint, and started touring the country in the early 80s, teaching his style. In 1983, Ross made his TV debut with The Joy of Painting, which ran until 1994.

Ross' soothing tone and encouraging nature made him a pop-culture icon, with references on shows like Family Guy, Conan O'Brien, and The Boondocks. He also teamed up with MTV for a promo spot that introduced him to a whole new generation of viewers.